Brother Ali has represented the best in underground rap and has never shied away from speaking on the ills of society in controversial ways. The legally blind, Muslim, albino rapper from Minnesota has long been a conversation starter. His albums like “The Undisputed Truth”, and most recently, “Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color”, are chock full of controversy and realism sorely missed in hip-hop these days. If you’re not familiar with his discography, we’ve put together the five best Brother Ali songs you should know in advance of his headlining show on Saturday night.

5) Freedom Ain’t Free

This track, with its Nina Simone sample (“Baltimore) and slinky beat is the perfect example of Brother Ali’s thematic persona. He talks about his early years, his introduction to Islam and how it changed his life, with a griot’s prose. It’s beautiful, really.